It’s not acceptable that a man with uncertain indigeneship will be next Governor of Ogun State — Ambassador Marcus-Bello

By KEMI KASUMU

“A lot of people have asked us: ‘What were you looking at?’ Senatorial is sectional. If the Yewa people wanted him as their senator and they didn’t see it was wrong, this is now an Ogun State affair. It’s now an Ogun State affair and what I stand for is justice and fair play. There are so many sons and daughters of Ogun State that are capable. So how can you jump from Ekiti to Lagos at Alimosho and jump on Ogun State again? It’s not acceptable,” she insisted.

As more South-West states are becoming aware of what some describe as the alleged prank that fellow Yoruba played to unlawfully take over political power in Lagos State from its constitutionally recognised indigenes and landowners, well-meaning Ogun State sons and daughters have vowed not to allow the same complacency that indigenous Lagosians displayed as they move towards recruiting their new leaders in the Gateway State in six months’ time to come.

This is specifically targeted at Mr. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, also known as Yayi, who is accused of wanting to repeat the same gimmick those imposing him on Ogun State used not only to take over Lagos State from its rightful owners but also to usurp their rights and privileges as indigenes, persecute and marginalise them from enjoying the benefits of government since the return of democracy in 1999.

It will be recalled that there is a popular saying that the Egba and Ijebu decide who governs Ogun State and that, in what appears to be the tradition at play, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, put his stamp on it when he publicly presented to the Egba Traditional Council Oladipupo Adebutu, son of Baba Ijebu — the popular nickname of Sir Kensington Adebutu, the Nigerian businessman and founder of Premier Lotto — of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the endorsed governorship candidate for the state in the 2027 election.

Another indicator has also been the fact that the likes of Senator Iyabo Anisulowo have been rejecting the idea of a man with uncertain indigeneship, allegedly not from Ogun State, becoming governor of the state come 2027.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Zambia and Malawi, Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello, another opponent of the idea of a non-indigene governing Ogun State, has also questioned Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola’s claim to Ogun State representation, alleging that the lawmaker previously identified as an indigene of Ekiti State while working with The Guardian newspaper.

Marcus-Bello said Adeola’s political trajectory — from the Lagos State House of Assembly to the Senate representing Lagos and subsequently to Ogun State — raised questions about his claim to represent the state.

On her allegations against Solomon Adeola, a.k.a. Yayi, during an Arise Television interview with Dr. Reuben Abati, she said, “I’m still standing. I’m still waiting.”

Asked if she had any proof, Marcus-Bello said, “I’m waiting to be sued. I’m a legal practitioner and I’m waiting to be sued.”

Continuing, she made a clarification about anyone being able to live anywhere in Nigeria.

“The truth of the matter is, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not preclude anybody from moving around Nigeria. (Section 42.) Yes. You can move anywhere. We don’t have a problem with that.

“What we have a problem with, on the issue of indigeneship, is the fact that the very first time you went to work at Guardian, you know we are all news people, you were in Guardian, I was in Vanguard. Before then, I came for the interview when Dr. (Yemi) Ogunbiyi was in Guardian (as Director of Corporate Affairs). Yes. We know ourselves.

“Your form in Guardian says you are from Ekiti. Then you left under very spurious circumstances, which is known,” interjecting her, Reuben Abati said, “I don’t know, tell me.” And she replied: “You were at The Guardian at the time. You have forgotten conveniently. You conveniently forgot” (laughing), “but there was even a panel set up.

“So what I am waiting for, so that they will not say she libelled in Arise, she libelled in Channels, they are taking everybody to court. I want him to take me to court. So I’m going to act professionally here.

“The facts are out there and I’m waiting for him to tell me that he didn’t have an issue at The Guardian Newspaper. That’s number one. Indigeneship at that time was Ekiti. Change of name to cover up what? I don’t know. He left and proceeded to come into the public domain, surfaced at Alimosho, new name, new face, no problem.

“But what does he take Ogun State for? In Alimosho, you went to the Lagos State House of Assembly; from there, you went to the Senate through Lagos, then you jumped on Ogun State. So, now it’s Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun.

“A lot of people have asked us: ‘What were you looking at?’ Senatorial is sectional. If the Yewa people wanted him as their senator and they didn’t see it was wrong, this is now an Ogun State affair.

“It’s now an Ogun State affair and what I stand for is justice and fair play. There are so many sons and daughters of Ogun State that are capable. So how can you jump from Ekiti to Lagos at Alimosho and jump on Ogun State again? It’s not acceptable,” she insisted.

Marcus-Bello maintained that her position was not personal, stressing that her concern was what she described as the need for justice and fairness in Ogun State’s political representation.

Her remarks, like many others, came amid questions surrounding Senator Adeola’s political background and eligibility to represent Ogun State.